Kangra, July 8
Karam Chand Katoch, a jawan representing the Dogra Regiment during the Chinese aggression of 1962, who was claimed to be missing, had attained martyrdom at the China’s border in Arunachal Pradesh. His body remained dumped for 48 years under the glaciers of the area and was recovered a few days back.

Jaswant Singh Katoch, nephew of the martyr, said today that following the Chinese aggression of 1962 his grandfather Kashmir Singh Katoch of Agochar village in this district received a message from the Army that his 21-year-old son had gone missing during the war. His name never figured among the prisoners of war. Kashmir Singh and his wife Gaytri Devi had waited till their last breath to know about the whereabouts of their son, but no information was received till then. Kashmir Singh passed away in 1985 while Gaytri Devi died in 1990.

Jaswant said, “I received a communication on July 6 from Col SK Singh of 4 Dogra Regiment that mortal remains of KC Katoch were recovered and will be brought from the China border to Teensukhia in Assam from where it will reach Agochar village between July 11-14.” Jaswant, who is serving the SSB in Assam, was on a leave here and had got it extended in order to perform the last rites of his uncle.

He said had his uncle’s body been traced when his grandparents were alive, their urge to know about the fate of their missing son would have relieved them of the mental trauma that they carried with them till their last breath.